Cough

A few reasons to stop smoking

Cough

You sit, and you stare, and say, "No more"

You've said that endless times before

"This time I mean it..." but you don't

You say you'll quit, but know you won't

You're ruled by habit, not your brain

In spite of knowledge, cough and pain

 

Your children urge, "Give up this stuff"

Your husband says, "It's not too tough"

But you, you know its hold is deep

You’ve tried before, you've had to weep

So let us try to justify

To keep the habit, come let’s try

 

The finger stains, the burns on chair

The smell that lingers in your hair

The blackened teeth, the breath of rot

What benefit from smoke you've got

 

The money drain, the aching head

The bed that burns you till you’re dead

The taste so fine when first you wake

The trays that stink, the hands that shake

So much you get from smoke of blue

Plus coughs and wheezing, cancer too

 

With all of this to help you choose

Don't take the path that helps you loose

We'll help and boost, and get you by

We'll cheer you on, but you must try

 

So don't delay till it's too late

Don't push the odds, don’t tempt your fate

Today's the day, the time is here

Don't put it off again my dear

 

It's time to start, and see it through

So don't delay, it's up to you

Author's Note

Years ago, when I realized that I was smoking 3 packs a day, I stopped. That was before there was solid evidence of the connection to cancer. Now that we do know, and given that the price for a pack of cigarettes is greater than the cost of a carton (actually, several), at the time I quit, stopping makes a LOT of sense.

Reviews

[Perry]

Well done, and accurate--nasty habits being what they are! I checked into a Quality Inn once with no reservation. All they had was the smoking suite. Indescribably bad and I was a cigar smoker at the time.

[Ranger Kessel]

Sadly im the guy who cant quit so I related well to this

[JayG]

Here are two secrets: First, tell your friends that you're going to quit in such a way that if you are EVER seen with a cigarette in your hands, you'll seem such a smacked a*s that pride won't let you go back. And second, while you're quitting, keep an opened pack in your pocket. It acts as a challenge. And after a week, they're so stale you wouldn't want to smoke them, but who throws away a full pack?

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Jay,

for a guy whose parents both were 3 pack a day smokers, with a cloud of smoke hovering in the air when my brother and I came home from school each day, the windshield fogged up and coated over when we went to the drive inn, this poem really says all there is to say about the merits of smoking ... And the downside as well ... Very enjoyable read ...

Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham

[Lisasview]

Good morning,
Just a quick hello to say I just reread this wonderful poem of your and I enjoyed it again!!
Lisa, now in Spain

[Aura]

Wow, this is an eye opening poem. Many people smoke, but it becomes a habit that is hard to stop unfortunately. It's addicting and addictions seem like necessities to those who have them, making it harder to give up even if they know it is bad for them. Sometimes help and motivation is alp they need to give up the habit for good. Other times, they smoke because it's a way to cope with stress or to relax. In that case, help is needed to get them off of the cigarettes in order to live a more healthy life. It is hard to quit, and I'm glad you managed to, from 3 packs a day! You've curbed the addiction, and blasted it out from your life, amazing! A nicely and well written poem!

[sonnie ibadah]

"... don’t tempt your fate..."
Such a powerful message. Well done!

[Miss Sharon]

(So don't delay till it's too late Don't push the odds, don’t tempt your fate) A great post about the horrors of smoking. My Dad and my stepdad died before their time because of the effects of it. You've written about this so well. I am happy that you managed to quit! Bravo. ~Sharon

[Red Brick Keshner]

This is the most intriguing poem about smoking that I have ever come across. The point of view and the way it describes corollary things that surround a smoker and his world. Lost several family members to lung cancer as a result. Thanks for sharing. /Frederick.

[Never Say Never]

I love this poem very much, this poem is people about my dad, he's aging very fast but won't stop smoking even for his good health.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

A very thoughtful heartfelt poignant message, Jay. I grew up and remember back in the late 60's and 70's many of my relatives who had the habit of smoking several packs a day. They would come to realize later in life the toll it took on their bodies. Addiction has a price to pay eventually. Thank you for sharing your work with us.